Clamp



May 29, 1928. -H. s. JONES cmu Filed laren 29, 1926 20 involving thisinvention.

25 of Figure 1.

Patented May 29, 1928.

PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY S. JONES, F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CLAN?.

Application mea March 29,1926. serial no. 98,152.

This invention relates to a material clamp for retaining papers, pads,samples and the like, and concerns itself primarily with a structurecomprising -a plurality of independent clips or holding fingers whichwill independently yield to compensate for 1r regular thicknesses in theclamped material, and operating means adapted for simultaneouslyoperating all of the clips if desired.

The invention comprises the novel structure and combination of partshereinafter described and more'particularly pointed out and defined inthe appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate certain preferredembodiments of this invention, and in which similar reference numeralsrefer to similar features in the different views,

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a clamp Flgure 2 is an enlargedfragmentary sectional view upon the line II--II of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentar' sectional view taken upon the lineII III Figure 4 is top plan view of amodified form of clamp.

Figure 5 is an end elevational view of the modified structure.

Figure 6 is a top plan view of the base plate of the modified structure.

Figure 7 is a sectional view upon the line .VII--VII of Figure 4.

HIn referring to the drawings, especially my improved clamp comprises abase or support 1, the to end of which ma be thickened by a hea plate1'?. A plurality of independently yieldable clips or fingers 2 aremounted u on the base 1. In the present instances, t e clips 2 areformed as integral fingers of a plate 3 which is secured to the base 1.This plate 3 is bent over upon an arc and the top end is inclineddownwardly into contact with the base 1;.the clips or lingers 2 beingformed by slitting the upper portion of the plate at predeterminedintervals. Preferabl a leather mat 4, or the like, is applied to t eupper face of the plate where the clamped matter is located. T he clips2 are sufficiently resilient for clamping purposes, and they may beindependently released by forcing the nail of a linger thereunder, orthey may be simultaneously actuto Figures 1 and 3, it will be observedthat ated to releasing positions by a bar 5 extending lengthwise beneathsaid clips. The bar `5 may be secured to the end clips by a tongue andsocket connection 6, as shown 1n Flgure 3. A rigid bail or handle 7 isconnected to the bar 5 for actuating the same, the arms 7n of the bailextending through apair of the slots between the clips. The arms "7a ofthe bail are adapted to fullcrum upon the rear end of the slots.Consequently, by 'actuating the bail downwardly, the cllps or fingers 2are simultaneously elevated for releasing the clamping action thereof. l

In Figures 4 to 7, the base'8 is provided with pairs of spacedupstanding hin e ears or lugs 9. To each pair of lugs, t ere is pivoteda clip 10. These clips have depending lugs 11 intermediate their ends,and a -pivot rod 12 extends through the ears 9 and lugs 11. Springs 13are coiled around the rod 12 under each clip. One end of each springbears against the base, while the other end bears against the power armof the clip. It\wil1 be 'noted that the front or clamping ends of theclips 10 cooperate with the forward edge of the base 8 which is sli htlyturned up, and the rear ends form nger pieces which may be manually andindependenly depressed for elevating the clamping en s.

The clips 10 may; however, be simultaneously released from clampingaction by a bar 14 which extends under the clamping handle 15 pivoted orfulcrumed intermediate its ends upon the pivot rod 12. Consequently, asthe handle 15 'is depressed, the bar 14 will be elevatedl forsimultaneously releasing the clamping action of all of the clips 10.

It will be evident that in use, in cases certain of the articles may bereleased Without disturbing the others.

I am aware that many changes may be made, and numerous details ofconstruction -may be varied through a wide range Without departing fromthe principles of this arms of the clips and is provided with ainvention, and I therefore do not purpose limiting the patent grantedhereon, otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1 In a clamp, a support, a plurality of independently operable alinedclips upon said support, a bar extending beneath said clips forsimultaneously actuating the same, and mea-ns for actuating said bar.

2. In a clamp, a support, a plurality of n independently operable clipsupon said support, a bar extending lengthwise beneath said clips, andmeans for actuating said bar.

3. In a clamp, a base, a plurality of independently operable clips uponsaid base, 15 a bar extending beneath the forward parts of said clipsand an operating lever attached to said bar "for simultaneouslyactuating said Y clips. I'

4. In a clamp, a base, a plurality of in- 20 dependently operable clipsupon said base, each clip having an operating handle, a bar extendinglengthwise beneath said clips and an operating lever connected to saidbar.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto fub- 25 scribed my name.

HARRY S. JONES.

